Corona has been a testing time and a great learning experience for all of us.
As we reflect 70-80 days of global lockdown, we all have emerged a different person. Things that were taken for granted are most valued now. A monumental shift is taking place as I am writing this. Covid-19 is and will have a long-lasting effect on our lives.
There will be fewer people on the road, in museums, cinema halls, and malls.
Beginning in July, most of the offices will reopen. Some organisations have agreed for the remote working of employees, and most remain rigid. Corona is here to stay, so we should equip ourselves for any situation and prepare for the worst.
What is against humans is good for nature. Coronavirus has proved it. We have fresh air to breathe, blue sky to look up to, minimal pollution, reduced carbon dioxide levels, freedom for animals. A day like World Environment Day shouldn’t remind us that humans are responsible for the depletion of natural resources. The 21st century is defining how humans are destroying the planet Earth.
Let us start with how our professional lives will change. Many organisations have laid off their employees or have reduced their salaries. This has forced many to look for other options. People will maintain distance, so there will be fewer business travels, more online meetings and less wastage of paper. Happy hours will be virtually celebrated.
Freelancing is the new way to go. People are offering their services online, invested in learning new skills and realised that dependence on one job is not useful anymore. People will diversify their skills, making themselves self-dependent.
People would want to spend less time in commuting to the office. There are questions raised about how viable office spaces are. When work is being done remotely, do we need ample office space at all? If travelling 3-4 hours to and from office worthy o our time and energy? Cycling will be one of the primary modes of commute.
Minimalism is the new way of life. With malls closed, channels of entertainment limited, people have changed their habits and set their priorities in order. We all have realised how much we spend unnecessarily on buying clothes and hoarding them.
Covid-19 has affected the travel and tourism industry significantly. People will maintain distance they will spend less time travelling abroad. This will, in turn, hike the airline fares. Countries depending on tourism will take a big hit.
Education has become online at least in cities. In rural India, however, this will be a distant dream, as many don’t have access to the Internet.
The economy is already showing signs of depression. The economic crisis will deepen further; this will lead to uncertainty in politics and governance the world over. Every country needs to manufacture goods and be less dependent on importing goods.
People’s behaviours will change remarkably. They will become more independent. This will give rise to entrepreneurship, as more people will experiment with businesses, however small to survive and thrive. Small and medium enterprises will see a boost as governments continue to focus on self-dependence and localised goods.
Health will take a front seat. Consultation with doctors will be online unless and until a physical examination is required. People and governments have realised that health deserves extra expenditure. There will be less expenditure on defence and security and more on health, environment and social reforms. Governments will be forced to give people access to universal healthcare services.
Reset, change the course of your life, embrace the change, and keep exploring.
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